Spring structure.



vC. H. GAIL.

SPRING STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION FILED 020.29.1917.

1376,89, I Patented Aug. 27, 1918.

CHARLES H. GAIL, OE CINCINNATI, OHIO.

SPRING STRUCTURE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. GAIL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring Structures, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to resilient spring structures such as are used for mattresses, cushions, and the like, and concerns certain features of novelty and improvement both from a structural standpoint and that of economy, rapidity, and facility of manufacture.

It has been proposed heretofore in such appliances, to use a relatively large number of comparatively small spiral-springs arranged in rows and inclosed wholly or in part in fabric or similar casings, which prevent the springs from producing an objectionable noise when rubbing one on another, and also assist in maintaining the springs in proper relation.

My improved structure is of this general type, and the invention aims to provide a spring appliance of this style which will re quire less fabric than lrretofore, less wire than formerly, and the parts of which can be readily and rapidly assembled, the structure as a whole presenting greater firmness and hence permitting the upholstering operation to be performed with greater ease.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, all of the springs are of the same size and are arranged in staggered rows with the springs of alternate rows unstaggered with relation to one another. The rows are fairly close together so that the convolutions or turns of their springs interfit or overlap. Alternate rows only of such springs are i11- cased or inclosed in fabric or similar casings, preferably a continuous casing for each row, stitched and divided into a number of pockets, each retaining a single spring. One casing, therefore, does for three rows of springs, or, stated somewhat otherwise, one casing is interposed between the interfitting convolutions of the springs of three rows, for example, the incased rows and the two rows on opposite sides thereof. In this way, fabric is conserved, and yet all of the convolutions which by chance might rub on one another are properly and adequately separated from one another, eliminating all possibility of noise. The alternate incased rows are preferably fastened together by any suit-' Specification of Letters Patent. Patentgd A 0; 27, 1918 Application filed December 29, 1917.

Serial No. 209,381.

able means, preferably opposite the unincased rows, thus acting in conjunction with the inclosed springs to hold the former against displacement.

. In order that those skilled in this art may have a full and complete understanding of the invention, I have illustrated the same in the accon'ipanying drawing, which shows a preferred embodiment of the invention, and which contains two figures, as follows:

Figure l is a fragmentary plan view of the structure, and

Fig. 2 is a section.

Referring to the drawing, it will be observed that the device includes a plurality of rows 10, 11, 12, 18, and 14, etc., of upright spiral-springs 15, conveniently, but not necessarily, all of the same size or caliber. It will be noticed further that the springs in the successive rows are st; ggered with respect to the springs of the rows on opposite sides of them, thus bringing a large number of the springs into a relatively sniall space. Attention is additionally directed to the fact that the rows of springs are close together, so close in fact, that the convolutions of the springs of successive rows are interfitted, but the springs in the same row areseparated from one another slightly. The springs of alternate rows are inclosed in relatively long casings 16 desirably of cotton cloth or other suitable fabric and stitched at regular intervals at 17 to provide a continuous series of pockets or compartments each adapted to accommodate a single SPI'II'IO. One length of fabric casing, therefore, suflices for three rows of springs actng as a separating medium between their interfitting convolutions, preventing them from contacting with the resulting rubbing action and possible noise.

The incased rowsonly of the springs are fastened together, theunincased rows being held in proper intermediate positions solely by such fastening means and the fabric-covered springs with which they are more or less interlocked by their overlapping convolutions.

Each of these securing means comprises in the present instance a pair of members, the one a hook-shaped element 18 with divergent legs 19 and 20 extending through the casing and engaging the top or bottom coils, as the case may be, of two adjacent incased springs, the other a cooperating eye or loop member 21 having similarly shaped legs 22 and 23 likewise engaging the end coils of two adjoining springs in the next incased row, which, of course, will be the second row from that cooperating with the hook member. As is clearly shown, the readily disconnectible securing means 18 and 21 are disposed opposite the ends of the springs of the intermediate row and assist in preventing their dislodgment or displacement, although the interfitting of these springs with those on their opposite sides assists in maintaining them properly in position. Both ends of the inclosed springs are interconnected in this manner, thus eliminating the possibility of the intermediate springs being removed or displaced in either longitudinal direction.

Inasmuch as these elements or fastening members 18 and 21 may be easily hooked or connected together and also disconnected if occasion should ever arise, it will be clear that the parts of the appliance may be assembled with ease and despatch, and that its parts are eifectively connected together, although the uninclosed springs are more or less free, yet retained properly in place. Of course, if desired, a fabric cover may be placed over the ends of the uncovered springs and many minor mechanical changes may be incorporated in the device without departing from the invention and Without the loss of any of its principal benefits and advantages. Consequently, the invention is not limited to the precise and exact structure shown and described.

I claim:

1. In a spring-structure of the character described, the combination of a plurality of rows of spiral springs, casings inclosing alternate rows of said springs, and means fastening together the springs of alternate rows and constituting with said springs the sole means for retaining the springs of the other alternate rows in place, substantially as described.

2. In a spring-structure of the character described, the combination of a plurality of rows of spiral springs, casings inclosing alternate rows of said springs, and means fastening together the springs of alternate incased rows and constituting with said incased springs the sole means for retaining the unincased springs of the other alternate rows in place, substantially as described.

3. In a spring-structure of the character described, the combination of a plurality of rows of spiral springs arranged with the springs of each row having its convolutions interfitted with those of the next row, casings inclosing alternate rows of said springs, and means to hold said springs in assembled relation, substantially as described.

4. In a spring-structure of the character described, the combination of a plurality of rows of spiral springs arranged with the springs of each roW having its convolutions interfitted With those of the next row, casings inclosing alternate rows of said springs, and means fastening together the springs of the alternate inclosed rows and cor tituting with said incased springs the sole means for retaining the springs of the other alternate unincased rows in place, substantially as de scribed.

5. In a spring-structure of the character described, the combination of a plurality of rowsl'of spiral springs, casings inclosing alternate rows of said springs, and means fastening together the springs of alternate rows and constituting with said incased springs the sole means for retaining the springs of the other alternate rows in place, each of said fastening means comprising a hook member secured to one row of said springs and an eye member secured to the second row of springs therefrom, substantially as described.

6. In a spring-structure of the character described, the combination of a plurality of roWs of spiral springs, casings inclosing alternate rows of said springs, and means fastening together the springs of alternate rows and constituting with said springs the sole means for retaining the springs of the other alternate rows in place, each of said fastening means comprising a hook member secured to a pair of springs of one row and an eye member secured to a pair of springs of the second row therefrom, substantially as described.

7 In a spring-structure of the character described, the combination of a plurality of rows of spiral springs, the springs of each row having their convolutions interfitted With those of adjacent rows, casings inclosing alternate rows of said springs, and means fastening together the sprmgs of alternate rows and constituting with said springs the sole means for retaining the springs of the other alternate rows in place, each of said fastening means comprising a hook member secured to the second row of springs therefrom, substantially as described.

8. In a spring-structure of the character described, the combination of a plurality of rows of spiral-springs, the springs of each row having their convolutions interfitting with those of adjacent rows, casings inclosing alternate rows of said springs, and means fastening together the springs of alternate incased rows, and constituting With said incased springs the sole means for retaining the springs of the other alternate unincased rows in place, each of said fastening means comprising a hook-member -secured to one row of said incased springs and an eye member secured to the next row of incased springs, substantially as described.

9. In a spring-structure of the character described, the combination of a plurality of rows of spiral-springs, the springs of each row having their convolutions interfitting with those of the adjacent rows, casings inclosing alternate roWs of said springs and means fastening together the springs of the incased rows and constituting With said incased springs the sole means for retaining the springs of the unincased rows in place, each of said fastening means comprising a hook member secured to a pair of springs of one of saidincased rows and an eye member secured to a pair of springs of the next adjacent incased row, substantially as described.

10. In a spring-structure of the character described, the combination of a plurality of rows of spiral-springs, casings inclosing a portion only of the rows of said springs, the convolutions of the springs of successive rows interfitting, and. means to hold said springs in assembled relation, substantially as described.

CHARLES H. GAIL. 

